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LE ROY G. CLARK Nov. 29, 1927, 1,651,084

SIGN

Filed Nov. 20, 1923 INVENTOR.

Clark Patented Nov. 29, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

LE ROY G. CLARK, OF WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

SIGN.

Application filed November 20, 1923. Serial No. 675.839.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a door sign and has for its object the provision of a door sign which Will be simple in structure, economical of manufacture and highly efficient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a door sign, having illuminating means associated therewith and operable through a door bell energizing means.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a door sign, having a door bell operating means attached thereto, and electrically connected with illuminating means for the 'door sign.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a door sign, having illuminating means associated therewith, said illuminating means being mounted in a casing so constructed as to afford ready and easy access to said illuminating means.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingl drawings which form a part of this speci cation, and in which,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the 30 invention,

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the invention,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2, and,

Flg. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the wiring used in the invention.

The invention is adapted primarily for use with door signs and has associated with it, and operating in connection therewith, a .door bell of the conventional type, operable upon the closing of a switch through the means of a button which is normally spring held in inoperative position.

The invention in its preferred form comprises a casinghaving a back 9 provided with a peripheral flange 10 having a head 11 extending around the flange. The casing is ada ted for mounting to a wall or the like by suitable fastening means, such as screws, nails or the like. The flange 10 is cut away at the base thereof,as at 12. The back is made preferably of a stamping from a single piece of metal and is provided at its base with an integral extension 13 on which is mounted a door bell casing 14 having the usual push button 15 which is operated to close a circuit leading to an electrically operated bell 32. The casing is provided with a top 17 which comprises a flange formed on the front wall 19, said flange being formed integral with the front wall 19. The front wall 19 is cut away-in the center thereof to provide a frame for framing the glass 22 or other transparent or translucent closure which is positioned within the frame. A bead 18 is formed at the line of juncture between the flange 17 and the front wall 19. Metal strips 20 are mounted on the frame at the inner side thereof and are adapted to be folded upon the closure 22, these strips 20 serving to hold the closure firmly in position and being of a pliable material so that they may be folded into operative position or into inoperative position to allow of the quick and easy removal or replacement of the closure in the frame. The flange 17 extends around the frame and the base 21 thereof is shorter than the top so that the housing or casing converges toward the base. Mounted on the inner side of the flange 10 is a leaf spring 23 provided with a stud 24 adapted for projection through openings formed in the flange lOand the flange 17 so as to lock these parts in fixed relation to each other when these openings are brought into registration. A knuckle 16 is formed in the portion 13, from a tongue punched there from, and cooperating knuckles 16 are formed from the flange 21, a suitable pintle being projected through these knuckles for holding the back and the remaining portion of the casing in swingable relation.

4 A cable 25 conducts electrically energized wires to the bell switch and a cable 29 serves to conduct a wire to the light bulb 28, which is mounted in a suitable socket 26 supported by a bracket 27, so constructed as to project the light well into the casing, at the center thereof, the bracket being mounted in any suitable manner to the flange 10, preferably at the top thereof.

The wiring-used in the operation of an electric door bell is generally run through a transformer, where a battery is not used. and in the drawings I have shown the use of the door hell with a transformer, although it is apparent that my invention can be used equally well where a battery is used. The

wires 33 and 34 lead into the transformer and the wire 33' is connected to one of the contacts of the door bell switch 15. The wire 34 is connected to the coils which operate the door bell 32. The wire 33 is connected to the other contactof the door bell switch 15 andto the coils w 'ch operate the door bell. Upon closing the ircuit through pressing the push button the coils are energized and the bell is operated.

The wire '33. is connected to the light bulb 28.. The wire 34 is grounded as at 34: and is connected to one of the contacts of the switch 35 which is connected by the wire 35' to the light bulb 28. The arrangement is such that the light 28 in the casing may be lighted upon the closing of the switch 35, which is'usually mounted within thev house at some convenient place. In this way I have utilized the wires which serve to operate' the door bell for illuminating the casing by means of the light 28.

Mounted on the closure of the casing are indicating means which may be chosen at will, depending upon whatthe casing is used for, as will be readily understood. In the drawings 1 have shown numbers mounted on the closure so that the casing may be used for indicating the'house'number to whichit is attached. These'indicating means are glued to the surface of the closure exteriorly of the casing, the surface thereof being varnished .or otherwise suitably treated to protect the same against the elements.

By constructing the casing in the manner shown the interior of the casing is accessible for cleaning the bulb or for changing it or making repairs. By cutting away the flange 10 at the base thereof, the wires passing into the interior of the casing pass through the flange 21 alone, so that in opening or closing the casing there will be a minimum amount of wear on these wires. With signs such as describedherein, and particularly when the 'same are used for house members, the casing is usually mounted a considerable distance above the street, so that if the closure bearing the numbers were perpendicular the numbers thereon would not be legible from the street level. By forming the casing with the top wider than the bottom and having the closure on which the numbers appear, inclined downwardly toward the rear of the casing the numbers pecome more directly visible from the street evel.

The bulb used in the casing may be one of small amperage so that if desired the occupant of the house may have the switch 35 closed during the entire night, thus leaving the door number illuminated at all times during the night, with very little expense.

While I have illustrated-and described the preferred form of structure I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details of struc- 'a closure for said frame; means for retain ing said closure in said frame; and yieldable meansfor locking said side walls in said over-lapping position. v

2. A door sign comprising a casing having a rear wall; a flange projecting forwardly thereof and cut away at its base portion;

side, bottom and top walls over-lapping said flange and hingedly connected to said rear wall at its cut away portion; a flange projecting, inwardly from said side walls to -provide a frame; a closure adapted for' mounting 1n sa1d frame; an illuminating means mounted in said casing; a projection on sa1d rearwall pro ecting downwardly therefrom below said cut away portion to provide a carrying means for a switch used 7 therewith; a leaf spring mounted at one end on the under surface of said rear wall flange; a stud projecting upwardly from the loose end of said spring adapted for projecting through an opening in said rear wall flange and in a registered opening in said wall for locking said side wall in said over-- lapping position, said cutaway portion providing a space for the projection of wires into said casing for connection with said iland cut away as the base of said rear wall centrally thereof; an integral depending portion on said rear wall at said cut away portion for providing a switch support; a front for said casing comprising: side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall and a front wall, said top, bottom and side walls overlapping said flange; means for hingedly connecting said front at its bottom wall to said rear wall at said cut away portion, said bottom wall being of less height than said top wall and said front wall being extended angularly to said rear wall converging relatively thereto at its bottom side, said front wall being cut away within its marginal edges to provide a frame; a transparent closure for said frame; means for retaining said closure in position in said frame; illuminating means mounted in said casing; a wire connected 'to said illuminating means and projected through said bottom wall at said cut away portion said rear wall.

4. In-a sign; a casing having a rear wall; a flange mounted thereon projecting forwardly thereof and having a portion at the base of said rear wall cut away; a front for said casing having a wall forming portion for overlapping said flange; means for and means for locking said frontv against swinging movement relatively to swingably conne wall at said out means mounted ct'ing said front on said rear away portion; illumlnatlng in sand casing and wiring connected with said illuminating means and extending exteriorly of said casing at said cut away portion.

In testimony foregoing specifi whereof hair e signed the cation.

LE ROY Gr. CLARK. 

